BELLS HELLS PLAYLIST: LAUDNA

Fun-scary, or scary-scary, who could say?

This week’s Bells Hells playlist dives deeper into Laudna, curated by the one and only Marisha Ray!

Our playlists are curated carefully by each player and our previous character playlists can be found on Spotify via the official Critical Role profile or you can listen to the playlist embedded below.

Take it away, Marisha!

Oh hello, welcome to my first Laudna playlist. Generally with these introductions, I use them as a means for people to glean tiny bits of information and insight into the inner workings of my characters through flowery language that probably took me far too long to write. But with Laudna, honestly, she’s such an open book… and that has been so deeply freeing! So why don’t we just dive right into the tunes I’ve gathered for this filterless fun-scary gal, shall we? Enjoy!

Living Dead Girl by Rob Zombie

As Taliesin likes to say, “Everyone is allowed a few super on-the-nose songs on their playlist.” There’s no better way to kick off this musical journey into Laudna’s story than with Rob Zombie’s Living Dead Girl. TURN IT UP!

When I Grow Up by Fever Ray

Even as a child, Laudna had her quirks. But aside from her innate magical abilities and fascination with creepy crawlies, she was pretty much an average farm girl. She had her hopes and dreams, and would visualize what her future might look like just like any other young woman. Fantasies of seeing the ocean, being held by someone who loves her, embracing her womanhood. But the future is unpredictable, and never quite turns out the way you imagined it would be.

(Shout out to Producer Max who shared this music video with me right before we recorded our first episode.)

The Hanging Tree by Angus and Julia Stone

Ahh yes, the return of The Hanging Tree. For those who have been around for a while, you may remember I had this song on my very first Keyleth playlist. I just had to bring it back. This haunting cover by Angus and Julia Stone brings a new and unique perspective, very befitting of Laudna’s experience with the Sun Tree – a symbol of her city that would never have the same meaning ever again. Now it stands in her brain as a landmark for the horrors that ignorance and complacency can inflict upon the naive.

Laudna would never be the same again….

You’re Dead : by Norma Tanega

… Literally.

I was introduced to this song as I’m sure most people were through What We Do in the Shadows (which is a brilliant comedy movie-turned-series from the mind of Taika Waititi that everyone should watch, if you haven’t.) I couldn’t resist this jaunty little tune that perfectly says, “Girl, you dead!”

The Man Who Sold the World by Transviolet

However, Laudna’s rest would certainly not be eternal. The necromantic blast unleashed by Delilah Briarwood would latch on to that rare magic spark that was lingering in Laudna’s still veins. Confused, terrified, and alone, Laudna would wriggle her way free from the noose around her neck and run as fast and as far away as she could from the only place she’s ever known. Little did she know, her fate was intertwined with the woman who broke the world.

(Side note: this creepy cover of a classic by Transviolet really reinvents this song, turning it into a disturbing cautionary tale of those who are willing to do anything to get what they want.)

Walkin’ After Midnight by Patsy Cline

Protected by the cover of nightfall, Laudna would walk miles and miles searching for something… anything. Shelter? Peace? A friend, maybe?

Best Friend by Saweetie and Doja Cat

And after years of walking alone, Laudna finally finds that friend she’s been searching for. This one goes out to my girl, Imogen! She’s a real bad bitch!

I think Laudna sees a lot of her younger self in Imogen. In a way, I think she hopes to deliver the life she never had to Imogen. She deserves the world, and Laudna will protect and attack anyone who tries to fuck with her girl!

Lorelei by Styx

Watch out, y’all, Laudna is moving in! What I love about this song is, if you listen to the lyrics through a creepy lens, Lorelei sounds absolutely horrifying. It’s fucking great. Besides, who doesn’t want to live that witchy cottage core lifestyle with an undead babe and her rotting pet rat?

Skinned by Blind Melon

Craft day!!!

Creepy Green Light by Type O Negative

There was no way I was going to put out a Laudna playlist without some Type 0 Negative representation. Luckily, this incredible, yet self aware goth band has the perfect song to encapsulate Laudna’s complicated connection to her power and her patron. She finds herself drawn to her shadow domain – and only time will tell if Laudna can break free from the green light.

Weirdo by K. Flay

Let your freak flag fly! Laudna is a weirdo, through and through, and damn proud of it, too! Ain’t nothing gonna change that.

Krisgaldr by Heilung

Closing out this playlist with a cantrip. Laudna casts ‘message’.

Art by Hannah Friederichs (@agarthanguide)